PNG will host OFC Nation’s Cup 2016, Kina splurge

Papua New Guinea has won the bid to host the 2016 Oceania Football Confederation Nations Cup in Port Moresby

OFC and PNGFA president David Chung confirmed that PNG was the only country to bid for hosting rights.

Chung said the tournament which will bring all the men’s league champions from the OFC affiliated members is slated for May and June.

"The winner will qualify for the FIFA Confederations Cup in Russia 2017, while the top six teams will play a home and away series to see who qualifies for the Russia World Cup qualifying stage in 2018," Chung said.

"An event management company is already working with the OFC to host the Nation’s Cup in Port Moresby," added Chung.

Chung said the hosting of the Nation’s Cup is more evidence that the XV Pacific Games has left a lasting legacy and is already paying dividends.

"PNG soccer is about cement the hosting of the 2016 FIFA World Cup women’s U20 and now we have the Nation’s Cup coming to our door steps.

"The National Government has spent an arm and a leg to construct these multi-million kina stadiums and they will soon reap the benefits in the long run," Chung added.

PNG champion club and last season’s Telikom National Soccer League minor premiers Hekari United FC will for the first time compete at this level in front of its home-crowd.

Hekari’s performance at the last Nation’s Cup in Fiji has also won a second team from PNG. Lae franchise City Dwellers will also compete in the regional clash.

Meanwhile, the National Capital District will benefit ‘big time’ with the staging of 2016 FIFA World Cup Women’s Under 20 Tournament.

Papua New Guinea Football Association (PNGFA) president David Chung said: "FIFA’s contribution to the staging of the tournament will see up to $US34 million (K99.4 million) flushed into the nation’s capital … spin-offs to boost the local economy in many ways.

"The National Government’s commitment of K10 million will be handled by the PNG Sports Foundation to build facilities to leave a lasting legacy. "I believe they may get more as well, as this funding will go towards the upgrade of the four stadiums and infrastructure development of 16 training sites," he added.

Chung said the 16 training sites are being identified from mainly schools and further added that as FIFA sets a high standard, the sites must have change rooms and the training surface must be of the same standard as the Sir John Guise Stadium. "As the ovals need to be maintained for the long run, there will be workshops on turf maintenance as well…soccer is leaving a lasting legacy for these schools," he said.

Chung further made clarification that the FIFA budget will support the role of the Local Organising Committee (LOC). "The PNGFA which will manage the LOC will work within the operational budget of FIFA and will acquit to them as well. "The PNGFA does not take anything," he added.

He said FIFA will cover costs for accommodation of the 16 countries, food, airfares, marketing, television crews and workshop seminars prior to the tournament.

"The LOC will cover aspects regarding to security, medical, protocol, volunteers and a few other areas of importance to ensure the smooth running of this world class tournament," he said.

Chung further added that the brief, being put together to be delivered to FIFA by the October 15 deadline, is being captured positively and thanked Prime Minister Peter O’Neill for taking the anchor role in ensuring all areas are covered .
Source:
PACNEWS